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Particular Redemption

--Our weekly article in the Northport Gazette.

Watering the Tulips

1/19/2011

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.” – Matthew 1:21

Two weeks ago, we taught a lesson on the state of the natural man. We learned that the Bible taught that the natural man does not desire the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. It takes an act of God to change the desire of the unregenerate. Last week, we learned that salvation is not an accident. We saw several examples where men and women were saved as a result of God actively seeking them out and drawing them to Christ. Our text before us today continues to build on this subject.

Jesus had a mission when He came into this world. He came purposely to save “his people” from their sins. Perhaps the most wonderful words of the Scripture are John 19:30 when Jesus states, “it is finished.” This is the reason that the Gospel is “good news.” Jesus accomplished His mission. There can be no comfort in a “gospel” that doesn’t exalt Jesus as the Successful Savior. Thank the Lord, He was not a failure!

Jesus prayed to the Father in John 17:2, “As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to all them that thou hast given him.” Jesus was faithful to the Father’s will. Jesus did not fail to accomplish what the Father sent Him to do. He sent Him to save “all them that” the Father gave Him in the covenant of grace from the beginning of time (II Ths. 2:13). As we said before, Jesus successfully finished His mission. Praise the Lord!!

Jesus is the “good shepherd” that “giveth his life for his sheep” (John 10:11). Jesus was not some shepherd that was unable to protect His sheep. He is not some shepherd that failed at saving His lost sheep. He is the Good Shepherd. He did not attempt to save some sheep and fail. He did not do all He could do and now the sheep must find their way to the Good Shepherd. Sheep, by nature, are dumb animals and do not think that way. Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, found His sheep and saved them. He bought them by His own blood when He hung on the cross.

Child of God, be of good cheer. Christ put your sins away as far as the east is from the west. He paid the debt that you couldn’t pay. He paid the price necessary to set you free from the penalty of your sins. Many will suffer for their sins eternally. But, the sheep will not because the Good Shepherd gave His life for the sheep. Let us ever be thankful for finishing the mission that the Father sent Him on.

Watering the Tulips is brought to you by Sovereign Grace Baptist Church in Northport, AL. You can find more information about us at www.sovereigngrace.net.